Where Lago de Izobel empties into the Rio Dulce, youŽll find the river leads into a system of gourges between sheer rock faces over 100 meters high and covered with the thickest of jungle vegitation. The jungle is so thick that most of the trees themselves are overgrown by a banket of vine netting.

A 3 hour bus ride while watching "Transformers" en espaniol, ended in the town Frontiera which begins the Rio Dulce. We got dropped off in the center of town and so made our way to find the marina. You know, everywhere you travel there is always one common thread....exiting your transportation. No matter where you are, its the same scene. Guys mobbig you to find you a hotel. Guys mobbing you to use their Taxi all shouting out names of nearby towns or attractions, Women mobbing you to buy something or other....kids doing the same. Its always very hectic and sometimes a little stressful until you get your back pack on your body and your belongings well grasped

The sad thing is You get a little jaded the more countries you visit because the ones that are more developed for tourism, are the ones that tend to rip you off. They have scams that get more elaborate and creative making it harder to know you are actually being scammed until its too late.

We have been caught in some of these in the past and have always caught on before too long. This jades a traveler. Its too bad really, because a cycle of distrust starts on one end and on the other resentment leading to better ways to make money...and so starts the cycle.

We got off our bus to the usual mob and proceeded to find a hotel to ask about boat services. This is the probably the safest way to do so. In countries like this, hotels need to have a good reputation and make sure the advice you get is safe. The rason for all the babble above is we had a nice guy trying to help us the whole way and we ignored him due to past experiences. In reality, all he wanted to do was help us to the dock for maybe a Q...(under a dollar). It is sad but a reality. In a country like Guatemala which is getting use to more and more kinds of travelers, you just never know. You have to go with your gut and hope all the decisions you make are the right ones....for you and for them.